A private vehicle pass to Zion costs $35 and grants access for seven consecutive days. The park gates remain open 24 hours a day, though visitor centers and shuttle operations run on strict seasonal schedules.
Zion National Park remains open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Facility hours shift with the seasons, and arriving after 5:00 p.m. means the Wilderness Desk will be closed for permit pickups. The Zion Canyon Visitor Center operates from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | Open 24 hours | Zion Human History Museum opens 09:00–18:00; large vehicle tunnel escorts run 08:00–16:30. |
Zion never closes for national or religious holidays. The Zion Nature Center operates strictly on a seasonal schedule, opening daily from noon to 5:00 p.m. between late May and September 1. Entrance fees are waived on specific dates, including National Public Lands Day on September 26 and throughout National Park Week.
Entry to Zion National Park costs $35.00 for a private vehicle pass valid for seven consecutive days. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and individuals in non-commercial groups pay $20.00 per person. Youth aged 15 and under enter the park for free.
Entrance fees are waived on specific dates throughout the year, including National Public Lands Day and during National Park Week.
Planning your visit to Zion? Find tours with free cancellation and skip-the-line options.
View All ToursVisit Zion National Park in October or November to catch peak autumn foliage and avoid the densest crowds. June is the safest window for hiking The Narrows and the Subway, since it is the driest month before the July monsoon season arrives. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, bringing thousands of visitors and daily flash flood risks.
A typical visit to Zion National Park lasts one to three days. A single day provides enough time to ride the 8-mile shuttle and walk shorter paths like the Riverside Walk. Extending your trip to three days allows for deeper exploration of Kolob Canyons or securing a permit to climb the 5.2-mile Angels Landing.
Claim one of the 350 free parking spots at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center by arriving before 8:00 a.m. Latecomers pay $15 to $25 per day in Springdale. Download the Flowbird app ahead of time to manage these town parking meters remotely.
Board the final shuttle out of the canyon at the Temple of Sinawava by 8:15 p.m. Missing this bus forces a dark, 8-mile walk back to the Visitor Center. The free transport system runs every 5 to 15 minutes from March through November.
Pick up a dry suit, neoprene socks, and a wooden walking stick from Springdale shops like Zion Outfitters before hiking The Narrows. The Virgin River runs freezing cold over unstable, slippery rocks. June offers the driest conditions for navigating this 1,000-foot deep slot canyon.
Secure an advance online permit through the National Park Service to climb Angels Landing past Scout Lookout. Rangers check these passes before letting hikers access the final knife-edge ridge equipped with metal chains. Fall months like October and November provide cooler temperatures for this exposed 5.2-mile trail.
July through September brings 100-degree heat and sudden monsoon thunderstorms that trigger deadly flash floods. Check the daily flood potential at the Wilderness Desk from 8 am to 5 pm before entering any slot canyon. Carry at least one gallon of water per person daily to combat the desert climate.
A private vehicle pass costs $35.00 and covers all passengers for seven consecutive days. Pedestrians and bicyclists aged 16 and older pay $20.00 each. Entrance fees are waived on specific dates like National Public Lands Day and during National Park Week.
The shuttle system is free to ride and requires no tickets or reservations. Buses run every 5 to 15 minutes between the Visitor Center and the Temple of Sinawava from March through November. Missing the last bus at 8:15 p.m. forces a dark 8-mile walk back to the entrance.
You must secure an online permit in advance to hike past Scout Lookout. The final section forces hikers to navigate a knife-edge ridge using metal chains. Falling from these steep cliffs has resulted in multiple visitor deaths.
Personal vehicles are banned on the Scenic Drive during the shuttle season from March through November. You can drive year-round on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive, and Kolob Terrace Road. Visitors with medical needs can request a Yellow Permit to bypass this restriction.
The park remains open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Facility hours vary by season, with the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Information Desk operating from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel restricts large vehicle access to 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
You will need to park in the town of Springdale and pay a daily fee ranging from $15.00 to $25.00. The 350 free spaces at the Visitor Center typically fill up before 8:00 a.m. during peak seasons. Download the Flowbird app to pay for your off-site parking remotely.
Vehicles measuring 11 feet 4 inches tall or 7 feet 10 inches wide require a paid ranger escort to traverse the tunnel. Escorts operate daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Arriving outside these hours means your vehicle cannot pass through.
Browse verified tours with free cancellation and instant confirmation.
Find Tours